Since its enactment in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act has increased access and opportunity for persons with disabilities across community life.  ADA Paratransit was created as a “safety net” for people with disabilities who couldn’t use fixed-route due to disability.   This was at a time when fixed-route service was far less accessible than it is today.   Even with the huge progress in the accessibility of bus and rail systems, not everyone with a disability can use ADA accessible fixed-route services.  Compared with 34 years ago, persons with disabilities have far higher expectations of themselves, and society views disability far more inclusively today than in 1990.   Panelists will take a fresh look at accessible transit in the context of mature fixed-route systems and a more modern view of accessibility.

Moderator:

• Christopher Pangilinan, Vice President, Paratransit, MTA New York City Transit

Panelists:

• Eileen Collins, Director, Accessible Transportation Programs, Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet)
• Ron Brooks, Senior Director, Policy & Stakeholder Engagement, UZURV
• Kelly Buckland, Disability Policy Advisor, United States Department of Transportation
• Jan Campbell, Board Member, Disability Rights Oregon; and Chair, TriMet Committee on Accessible Transportation (CAT)

Closing Remarks:

• Paul P. Skoutelas, President and CEO, American Public Transportation Association

Join us for an exciting awards ceremony recognizing the dedication and skill of the best of the best in bus operations, mechanics, and safety and security. These professionals from across the country, keep our communities moving forward safely with precision, professionalism, and pride.

For generations, strong and expanding public transportation has had a central role in providing mobility to persons throughout urban and regional communities.   In so doing, this has enabled the American economy to prosper.  The distinguished panel will speak to the necessity of an ongoing federal-state-local partnership supporting public transportation, in so doing keeping cities and regions strong, vibrant, environmentally friendly, resilient, and equitable.   Discussion will cover the significance of urban form, universal mobility, and the broad range of community benefits that come from public transportation. 

Remarks:

• Irene Marion, Director of the Departmental Office of Civil Rights, Office of the Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation

Moderator:

• Dorval Carter, Immediate Past Chair, APTA; and President, Chicago Transit Authority

Panelists:

• The Honorable Travis Stovall, Vice Chair for Public Transit, US Conference of Mayors, and Mayor, City of Gresham, Oregon
• The Honorable Eileen Higgins, County Commissioner, Miami-Dade, Miami-Dade Transit
• Ydanis Rodriguez, Commissioner, New York City Department of Transportation
• Christopher Coes, Acting Under Secretary of Transportation Policy, U.S. Department of Transportation

Please join us to hear from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and learn more about FTA’s public transit priorities and the year head.

Featured Speaker:

• Matthew Welbes, Executive Director, Federal Transit Administration

Moderator:

• Michele Wong Krause, Chair, APTA; Past Chair, DART Board of Directors 2021-2023, Dallas Area Rapid Transit

Panelists:

• Joseph P. DeLorenzo, Associate Administrator for Transit Safety and Oversight, Chief Safety Officer, Federal Transit Administration
• Paul Kincaid, Associate Administrator for Communications and Congressional Affairs, Federal Transit Administration
• Dana Nifosi, Acting Chief Counsel, Federal Transit Administration
• James Harper, Director, Office of Acquisition Management; Chief Business Advisor, Federal Transit Administration
• Bruce Robinson, Acting Associate Administrator for Program Management, Federal Transit Administration

Join your industry peers as we kick-off the mobility conference in Portland. Hear from APTA leadership and our host, Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet), as they share all the exciting and relevant information you will learn and see over the next three days. 

Featured Speaker:

• The Honorable Earl Blumenauer, Member, Ways and Means Committee; Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Trade; U.S. House of Representatives

Chair's Welcome:

• Michele Wong Krause, Chair, APTA; Past Chair, DART Board of Directors 2021-2023, Dallas Area Rapid Transit

President's Welcome:

• Paul P. Skoutelas, President and CEO, American Public Transportation Association

Speaker:

• Francis "Buddy" Coleman, Chief Customer Officer, Clever Devices Ltd.

Host:

• Samuel Desue, General Manager, Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) 

Welcome:

• Ted Wheeler, Mayor, City of Portland

Sponsor Remarks:

• Justine Belizaire, Associate Vice President/Program Manager, HNTB Corporation